94 
sensibly on adjacent New Zealand, which had scarcely overcome 
the difficulties attending the commencement of its colonization ; 
the latter losing a great number of its labouring population, who 
all went flocking towards the new gold-land. But, still, there 
were hopes also for New Zealand. People began to prospect for 
gold here, and already in October 1852, a “Reward Committee” 
was formed , which promised a reward of £ 500 to the discoverer 
of a valuable goldfield in the northern district of New Zealand. 
Within less than a week, the reward was claimed by Mr. Charles 
Ring, a settler, recently returned from California, who asserted 
that he had discovered gold upon Cape Colville peninsula, 40 miles 
East of Auckland, in the vicinity of Coromandel Harbour. The 
specimens produced by Mr. Ring were pieces of auriferous quartz, 
and some minute particles of gold dust, which he had found on 
the Kapanga, a creek flowing into the harbour. The commis- 
sioners sent out to investigate the matter also confirmed the exis- 
tence of gold, leaving it however doubtful whether there was a 
goldfield extensive and rich enough to pay for the working. 
This was the first discovery of gold upon New Zealand. There 
was a general rejoicing in Auckland over the lucky event; the 
people indulged in the most sanguine hopes, and at once arrange- 
ments were made for working the goldfield. As the land upon 
which the gold was found belonged to the natives, an agreement 
with the latter on the part of the Government had first to be brought 
about. The Maoris agreed for a certain payment to cede the ac- 
quisition of gold upon their own land to Europeans, and already 
in November 1852 a treaty was made with the Coromandel chiefs 
for the term of three years, in which the Government pledged it- 
self to pay the natives for each square mile of land upon which 
gold was being dug one pound sterling annually , and for each 
gold digger two shillings per month. In consequence of this the 
Government was, of course, obliged to lay a tax upon the gold 
diggers. Granting an exemption for the first two months, it after- 
wards exacted from each digger 30s. per month for a digging 
license. 
